“Messi cried after losing to Chelsea” says Sanchez

Alexis Sanchez has revealed that Chelsea once made Lionel Messi cry.

Alexis Sanchez says Barcelona star Lionel Messi cried after they lost a Champions League semi-final to Chelsea in 2012. The Manchester United striker shared a dressing room with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner during their shared time together at Barcelona.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Sanchez said: “I think football saves many people”. “It can give you a life of luxury, but people don’t see all the effort that goes in behind the scenes.

“That might mean not seeing your family, or missing your mother’s birthday, many players are so focused that they miss the birth of their children.

“You might cry during a game if you lose a final. That’s all part of football. In the Barcelona dressing room after the Chelsea game, I saw Leo cry. That’s because players demand so much from themselves. People don’t see that.

“Sometimes people say things such as, ‘He’s got too big for his boots’ or say, ‘He’s changed’. You buy a flash car and people say that you’re a show-off.

“I’ve learnt so much over time and with the experience that I’ve gained. You can’t please everyone. There’ll always be one or two who get angry. I’ve learnt so much from playing football: I love football and that’s what I do. I enjoy myself and I’m just trying to be happy.”

Messi missed a penalty as the Catalans surrendered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with the Premier League side – who were playing with 10 men after John Terry’s sending off – which saw them lose the tie 3-2 on aggregate.

The men in Blue then went on to win the Champions League that year defeating Bayern Munich on penalties.